KYIV. Dec 20 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has spoken in favor of reinforcing the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) by introducing representatives of Germany and France, a statement on the Ukrainian presidential website said.
"Regarding the possibility of the JCCC resuming its work, I believe it will be absolutely helpful if we invite our partners in the Normandy Format to the JCCC, the Germans and the French," Poroshenko said during a meeting with Ukrainian intellectuals and the activist group December First.
Poroshenko emphasized that the threat of escalation in eastern Ukraine is increasing and attributed that fact to Russia's withdrawal from the JCCC, describing the move as "abrupt and provocative."
Poroshenko said he is convinced that if Germany and France join the JCCC, "there will be more trust and transparency" and its "efficiency will be higher."